Prickly Pear Cactus

I started by designing and constructing this dress, green satin, cross front bodice, bubble hem, and pockets! I used my own pattern and design to construct this base dress.

I then constructed 5 padded cactus pods, of bright green fabric and batting. I stitched them together in a circle, added shoulder straps of green satin to match the dress, and a hidden waist strap to keep them on. I also added LOTS of spines (pipe cleaners) for effect. I then added the puffy fruits to the top, using two pink fabrics and lots of stuffing!

I also constructed a necklace of pink and white fringe trim to represent the white commonly found on Prickly Pear plants. I completed the outfit with hot pink cowgirl boots!

I made this costume from scratch, with lots of green and pink fabric! I orginally made this costume for a western themed Halloween party, but found it fit all costume parties! I started by making the green bubble hem dress, from my own design; of course I added pockets because you can't just carry a purse if it doesn't match your costume! I then constructed the main pods, with bright green rayon fabric and batting for thickness; then I stitched and stuffed the fruits and attached them to the pods. I added shoulder straps to wear the pods like a backpack in the back, and added a waist tie to hold up the front pods (they are sewn in a circle to surround me). To finish off the effect, I added dozens of scratchy pipe cleaners to act as cactus spines. I completed the outfit with cowgirl boots which I spray painted pink, a white and pink trim choker to add the effect of the actual plant, which often has spots of white from a common coextisting insect, and pink arm warmers because it's chilly at night!